The Press., 1887-09-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Washington, D. c Aug. 26, 1887.
 It is more than seventy years since the British red-coats entered Washington, and spread confusion and spread diSmay among the few thousand inhabitants that then composed the infant city, and burnt the capitol building, the white house, public library, and several buildings of less im- portance. President Madison, fearing the ulterior object of the invading foe w,ts the capture of his person, mounted horse, and, solitary and alone, made speedy haste for the forest north of the city, while his wife maintained possession of the white house until forced out by the devouring flames and sought refuge lD brick struct- ure on what IS now known as H street. For some time after this 1t was occupied as the executive mansion, presided over by tho witty and vivaciOus Dolly Madison, and it's old walls contain perhaps as much history as those of any other building in Washington. But this old landmark, that has stood the gaze of thousands for as many years, is now being thoroughly re- modelled and modernized, and in few weeks all of its old characteristics, rich in history and memory, will have faded away, and it will be swallowed up in the Wash ington of the present. We Americans are peculiar people, and have small venera- ton for the things of the past. What few monuments we have of the olden time are being rapidly plotted out. A foreigner has said that America is great in all things but relics" Another century could make Us great in these if we would only stay the hand of vandalism and save to the future these monuments that have such eloquent and instructive tongues and ought to inspire us with feelings of pa triotism and veneration.
 In every annual legislative appropria- tion bill congress itemizes every thing it can possibly think of, even to oil, twine, wrapping paper, &c., appropriates the es- timated amount to meet all these expenses, and then 1t Jumps in under the head of ''coD tingent miscellaneous items" about $5O,OOO every year. This amount is sell dom adequate to meet the call, and nearly every session appropriates an additional amount, by joint resolution, of from SIC, 900 to $3O, ,OO0. This fund Is under control of the committee on accounts, who certify to the disbursing officer what bills shall be paid, the committee being the sole judges as to the legitimacy of the expenditure. Under this head is dumped ill the funeral expenses of deceased members. How this idea originated of burying members at public expense I have not been able to fully ascertain, but 1 have searched the records somewhat carefully. and find 1t has been the practice from the first con- gress, which met March 4th, 1789, until the present time, and has grown in enorm- ity from less than $500 in the first instance to nearly $10,00O i'll quite a recent case. Among the items in this instance that az gregate so much are found an expensive coffin, sashes and gloves for the escort, daily papers and telegrams on the journey, magnificent parlor and dining cars, porter tips, choice cigars, and liberal supply of
 'Appolonaris water," which rightly inter- preted means anything drinkable that the palate may crave or the force of habit call for. If this were all isolated case 1t might be treated with impunity, but find in looking up the record that 92 senators and 175 representatives have died during their term of office and been buried at public expense. Is it not time to reiegate this custom to the shades
 Political life in w ashiugton is very pre- carious, and often results in personal ruin and humiliation This is by no means the rule, but the instances are of such frequent occurrence as to excite public attention. There are hundreds of absolute political wrecks in this city, men who have been high up in political and social standing, but from various untoward influences are now way down at the foot of the line-am- bition, money, friends, all gone. 1 know of four ex- ex-congressmen who are now on. the laborers' roll in the departments; an- other $1 200 clerk; another, who not ten years ago was brilliant on the floor of the house, is serving as Q messenger in one of the departments. The list of polit. ic.tl bankrupts is long one, and the ranks are being daily augmented.
 Elaborate preparations are being made by the physicians of this city for the re- ception and entertainment of the worlds medical congress which IS to convene here on the 9th of next month. This gathering will be one of the most notable of the age in the science of medicine and surgery. Every state and territory in the union and every civilized country on the face of the earth will be represented in this congress. The program is very elaborate and will make book of over 100 pages. The citi- zens of Washington are public spirited and exceedingly liberal in aid of every worthy enterprise, and are determined that the disciples of Ksculapius gathered from the four quarters of the earth shall return to their homes with an exaltedd opinion of America and her capital city. x
 The greatest crowd ever seen at Charter Oak park was present yesterday to see the BIO, 900 special stake race and the other events of the second day of the grand cir ,uit meeting. The crowd was fully 12, )OO The events were the 2:25 trotting, he PA pacing and the special stake race. Great enthusiasm was shownat the appear Lnce of Patron and he was cheered each ime as he passed the grand stand Pools old: Patron $100, field $14 to SIP, and fter the first heat no one would buy against he stallion and Prince Wilkes sold favor | te for second place at $25 to $17 for the ield. Patron took each heat handily, and n the last heat had to be taken back on he last quarter and logged home to pre- 'ent distancing the whole field. Wilkes lad second place in each heat. Inthe2:25 lass White Socks was first, and in the 2 "A